April 27, 2010

By Rick Winterson

EDITOR’S NOTE:  As you know, South Boston Online has been profiling the five candidates running for state Representative from the Fourth Suffolk District.  While we do not endorse political candidates, we feel that providing information on all of them is an essential community service.  A profile has run in each of our four previous issues; our series concludes this week with a write-up on Democratic candidate Mike McGee.

Michael McGee is a lawyer, a South Boston resident, and a community activist. 

Mike graduated from B.C. High, where he was a 60-minute man (linebacker, fullback), and received his degree from Trinity College.  He passed the bar in February, 2007, after obtaining a J.D. from New England School of Law, and has worked five years for Morrison Mahoney LLP.  Among his many community pursuits, Mike has been active in sports coaching, Neighborhood House fundraising, and Big Brothering of a middle schooler at Timilty in Uphams Corner.

Last fall, Michael McGee announced his candidacy for state Representative, Fourth Suffolk District.   

Mike feels certain issues are critical in his campaign to be elected state Representative.  He mentioned education first.  In a nutshell, he’ll work for “excellent schools, including excellent parental choices, which are well funded.”

Asked to amplify upon “excellent parental choices”, he explains that when he talks to parents, they say how limited choices are in Boston.  Networks of nearby neighborhood schools don’t exist in all of the City’s areas.  Mike’s stance is that “parents must become more involved”, which means that in most cases, schools have to be nearby, basically within walking distance.

There’s an even greater importance to “excellent choice”.  In Boston, students have limited choices of exam schools, charter schools, or tuition-based schools, private or Catholic.  If for any reason – test results, affordability, and so on – these alternates aren’t available, then many families have to head for the suburbs, which hollows out Boston’s middle class.  The state Representative’s role is to function as a watchdog, making sure that all statewide education meets high standards.  Mike will insure these standards are implemented in South Boston.

Mike went on to speak about the quality inherent in an “excellent education”.  He thinks it can be described quickly but well, by defining an excellent education as one that prepares the student for college. 

Certainly, a student may choose not to go to college.  He or she could learn a craft, join the military, or enter the hospitality field, for example.  But sooner or later in a global economy, local high school graduates will need to obtain advanced education.  Mike is convinced that young students have to become college oriented beginning as early as the middle school grades.

Substance abuse among youth is another key issue with Mike.  His emphasis is defined by the words “pro-active” and “preventive”.  He feels that the learning curve about staying drug-free should begin early – between 10 and 12.  He points to over 100 EMT overdose calls per year in South Boston, along with massive over-prescribing of addictive medicines for ordinary ailments. 

In Mike’s opinion, it’s more than an issue for families.  It should be part of schooling in the disastrous effects of drugs.  He also points to the positive effects of peer groups and activities, such as Young at Arts, the Paraclete Center, South Boston Grows, Big Brothers, and the Boys & Girls Club.

Mike’s issues include support of local small businesses, which he calls “community drivers” as well as job providers.  On the neighborhood scale, he mentioned the gradual improvements along West Broadway.  A variety of developments have begun to restore it as its own neighborhood.  On a more macro scale, he points to the Waterfront, where he intends to advocate a small-business, private sector presence as a way to provide more local jobs.

When asked what he’s proudest of, he mentions the fact that he put himself through law school at night and was then accepted as an Associate in a reputable law firm.  He also gratefully singles out his campaign volunteers, who comprise South Boston “lifers” and newcomers from all over.

Feel free to contact Michael McGee at michaelmcgee.org or by phone at (617)752-1832.